Resist composition and patterning process

ABSTRACT

A resist composition containing: (A) a resin containing a repeating unit having an acid-labile group and further containing at least one repeating unit having an aromatic substituent; (B) a photo-acid generator shown by a general formula (B-1); and (C) a solvent, where W1 represents a cyclic divalent hydrocarbon group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms with a heteroatom; W2 represents a cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 4 to 14 carbon atoms without a heteroatom; Rf represents a divalent organic group shown by the following general formula; and M+ represents an onium cation. This provides a resist composition and a patterning process of using it that show a particularly favorable mask dimension dependency and CDU in photolithography where a light source is a high-energy beam such as a KrF excimer laser beam, an electron beam, or an extreme ultraviolet ray.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a resist composition and a patterning process.

BACKGROUND ART

As LSIs advance toward higher integration and higher processing speed, miniaturization is progressing rapidly. As a cutting-edge technology for miniaturization, mass production by ArF immersion lithography where exposure is performed with a liquid such as water placed between a projection lens and a substrate is conducted, and studies have been conducted on multiple exposure (multiple patterning) of ArF lithography and extreme ultraviolet ray (EUV) lithography with a wavelength of 13.5 nm, etc.

Among chemically amplified resist materials used for the above-described lithography, a compound that is decomposed by exposure and generates acid (hereinafter referred to as “acid generator”) is used, and acid diffusion can be suppressed by optimizing the structure in the acid generator, and it becomes possible to form high-resolution patterns. As such acid generators, those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4 are being studied, for example.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application     Publication No. 2008-074843 -   Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application     Publication No. 2009-191054 -   Patent Document 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application     Publication No. 2011-126869 -   Patent Document 4: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application     Publication No. 2012-072108

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

On advancing further miniaturization, conventionally studied acid generators are not necessarily sufficient regarding various properties including resolution and resist pattern shape.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a resist composition and a patterning process that show a favorable mask dimension dependency (mask error factor: MEF) and critical dimension uniformity (CDU) in photolithography.

Solution to Problem

To achieve the object, the present invention provides a resist composition comprising:

(A) a resin containing a repeating unit having an acid-labile group and further containing at least one repeating unit having an aromatic substituent;

(B) a photo-acid generator shown by a general formula (B-1); and

(C) a solvent,

wherein W₁ represents a cyclic divalent hydrocarbon group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms and containing a heteroatom; W₂ represents a cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 4 to 14 carbon atoms and not containing a heteroatom; Rf represents a divalent organic group shown by the above general formula; A₁ and A₂ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a trifluoromethyl group; B₁ and B₂ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, or a trifluoromethyl group; * represents an attachment point for a carbonyloxy group; “m” represents an integer of 0 to 4; “n” represents an integer of 0 or 1; and M⁺ represents an onium cation.

The inventive resist composition as described shows favorable mask dimension dependency (mask error factor: MEF) and critical dimension uniformity (CDU) in photolithography.

In this case, W₁ in the general formula (B-1) preferably represents a cyclic divalent hydrocarbon group containing a lactone ring structure having 6 to 12 carbon atoms.

Such a resist composition makes it possible to further suppress acid diffusion by having a lactone ring arranged in a position near a sulfonic acid group at the time of acid generation after exposure. Therefore, the resist composition can show a more favorable mask dimension dependency and critical dimension uniformity.

Furthermore, W₂ in the general formula (B-1) preferably represents a polycyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 7 to 14 carbon atoms and not containing a heteroatom.

Such a resist composition makes it possible to provide a suitable solubility since a highly annelated hydrocarbon group is arranged at a terminal. Therefore, the resist composition can show an even more favorable mask dimension dependency and critical dimension uniformity.

Furthermore, the group Rf in the general formula (B-1) is preferably selected from groups shown by the following formulae (Rf-1) to (Rf-6),

wherein * represents an attachment point for a carbonyloxy group.

Such a resist composition can show a more favorable mask dimension dependency, LWR, and critical dimension uniformity since solubility is enhanced by the effect of the fluorine atom in Rf, and a sulfonic acid that is generated after exposure comes to have a suitable acidity.

Furthermore, one of the repeating unit having the aromatic substituent in the resin of the component (A) is preferably a repeating unit shown by the following formula (A-1),

wherein R^(A) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R₆₁ represents a hydrogen atom or a linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms optionally interposed by a heteroatom; R₆₂ represents a linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms optionally interposed by a heteroatom; “t” represents an integer of 1 to 3; “u” represents an integer that satisfies u≤5+2s−t; “s” represents 0 or 1; and L₁ represents a single bond, —C(═O)O—, or —C(═O)NH—.

The inventive resist composition can show a more favorable mask dimension dependency and critical dimension uniformity when such a component (A) is combined with the above-described component (B).

One of the repeating unit having the aromatic substituent in the resin of the component (A) is preferably a repeating unit shown by the following general formulae (A-2) to (A-4),

wherein R^(A) each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R²⁰¹ represents a single bond, a phenylene group, —O—R² or —C(═O)—Z²—R²¹⁰—; Z² represents an oxygen atom or NH; R²¹⁰ represents a linear, branched, or cyclic alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a linear, branched, or cyclic alkenylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a phenylene group, optionally containing a carbonyl group (—CO—), an ester group (—COO—), an ether group (—O—), or a hydroxy group; L₂ represents a single bond or —Z³—C(═O)—O—; Z³ represents a linear, branched, or cyclic divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms optionally substituted with a heteroatom; Z¹ represents a single bond, a methylene group, an ethylene group, a phenylene group, a fluorinated phenylene group, —O—R²¹¹—, or —C(═O)—Z⁴—R²¹¹—; Z⁴ represents an oxygen atom or NH; R²¹¹ represents a linear, branched, or cyclic alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a linear, branched, or cyclic alkenylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a phenylene group, optionally containing a carbonyl group, ester group, ether group, or hydroxy group; M⁻ represents a non-nucleophilic counter ion; R²⁰², R²⁰³, R²⁰⁴, R²⁰⁵, R²⁰⁶, R²⁰⁷, R²⁰⁸, and R²⁰⁹ each independently represent a linear monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or a branched or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms optionally substituted with a heteroatom and optionally interposed by a heteroatom; R²⁰² and R²⁰³ are optionally bonded with each other to form a ring with the sulfur atom in the formula, or any two or more of R²⁰⁴, R²⁰⁵, and R²⁰⁶, or any two or more of R²⁰⁷, R²⁰⁸ and R²⁰⁹ are optionally bonded with each other to form a ring with the sulfur atom in the formula; and the repeating unit shown by the general formulae (A-2) to (A-4) has one or more aromatic substituents.

The inventive resist composition can show an even more favorable mask dimension dependency and critical dimension uniformity when such a component (A) is used.

The above-described resist composition preferably further comprises as a component (D), a resin being a fluorine-containing resin having at least one repeating unit selected from repeating units shown by the following formulae (D-1), (D-2), and (D-3), wherein the resin is different from the resin of the component (A),

wherein R^(A) each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R⁵¹ and R⁵² each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R⁵³ represents a single bond or a linear or branched divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; R⁵⁴, R⁵⁵, and R⁵⁶ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group, fluorinated monovalent hydrocarbon group, or acyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, or an acid-labile group; when R⁵⁴, R⁵⁵, and R⁵⁶ represent the monovalent hydrocarbon group or the fluorinated monovalent hydrocarbon group, some carbon atoms thereof are optionally substituted with an ether group or a carbonyl group; R⁵⁷ represents a linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon group or fluorinated hydrocarbon group with a valency of (v+1) having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; and “v” represents an integer of 1 to 3.

When the inventive resist composition further contains such a component (D), the contact angle between a resist film surface and water increases, and defects due to remaining immersion liquid and elution of an acid generator or a quencher can be suppressed. In addition, it becomes possible to adjust the solubility of the resist film surface, and a favorable critical dimension uniformity can be achieved.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a patterning process comprising the steps of:

forming a resist film by coating a substrate with the above-described resist composition and heat-treating;

exposing the resist film with a high-energy beam; and

developing the exposed resist film using a developer.

Such a patterning process can achieve a favorable mask dimension dependency and critical dimension uniformity in photolithography.

In the inventive patterning process, the high-energy beam can be an ArF excimer laser with a wavelength of 193 nm or a KrF excimer laser with a wavelength of 248 nm.

Furthermore, the patterning can be performed with the exposure as immersion exposure performed with a liquid having a refractive index of 1.0 or more placed between the resist film and a projection lens, and with a protective film further formed on the resist film, and immersion exposure performed with the liquid placed between the protective film and the projection lens.

Such a patterning process can achieve a more favorable mask dimension dependency and critical dimension uniformity in photolithography.

Furthermore, in the inventive patterning process, the high-energy beam can be an electron beam or an extreme ultraviolet ray with a wavelength of 3 to 15 nm.

Such a patterning process makes it possible to form a pattern excellent in MEF and CDU with a favorable sensitivity.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The inventive resist composition makes it possible to form a resist pattern excellent in mask dimension dependency (mask error factor: MEF) and LWR, in particular.

The present invention can provide a resist composition and a patterning process that show a favorable mask dimension dependency (mask error factor: MEF) and critical dimension uniformity (CDU) particularly in photolithography where a high-energy beam such as a KrF excimer laser beam, an electron beam, or an extreme ultraviolet ray is used as a light source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a ¹HNMR spectrum of PAG 1 obtained in Example 1-1;

FIG. 2 shows a ¹⁹FNMR spectrum of PAG 1 obtained in Example 1-1;

FIG. 3 shows a ¹HNMR spectrum of PAG 2 obtained in Example 1-2; and

FIG. 4 shows a ¹⁹FNMR spectrum of PAG 2 obtained in Example 1-2.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

As described above, on advancing further miniaturization, conventionally studied acid generators are not necessarily sufficient regarding various properties including resolution and resist pattern shape.

To achieve the above object, the present inventors have earnestly studied and found out that a resist composition including an acid generator shown by the following formula (B-1) shows a favorable mask dimension dependency (mask error factor: MEF) and critical dimension uniformity (CDU), and is extremely effective for a precise and fine processing.

That is, the present invention is a resist composition comprising:

(A) a resin containing a repeating unit having an acid-labile group and further containing at least one repeating unit having an aromatic substituent;

(B) a photo-acid generator shown by a general formula (B-1); and

(C) a solvent,

wherein W₁ represents a cyclic divalent hydrocarbon group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms and containing a heteroatom; W₂ represents a cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 4 to 14 carbon atoms and not containing a heteroatom; Rf represents a divalent organic group shown by the above general formula; A₁ and A₂ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a trifluoromethyl group; B₁ and B₂ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, or a trifluoromethyl group; * represents an attachment point for a carbonyloxy group; “m” represents an integer of 0 to 4; “n” represents an integer of 0 or 1; and M⁺ represents an onium cation.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Note that regarding chemical structure in the following chemical formulae, an enantiomer or a diastereomer can exist in many cases, but in all cases, each chemical formula represents all of these stereoisomers as long as there is no mention to the contrary. In addition, these stereoisomers may be used alone or as a mixture.

[Resist Composition]

The inventive resist composition contains:

(A) a resin (base resin) containing a repeating unit having an acid-labile group and further containing at least one repeating unit having an aromatic substituent;

(B) a photo-acid generator shown by a general formula (B-1); and

(C) a solvent. Furthermore, other components such as a specific fluorine-containing resin different from the resin of the component (A) as a component (D), a quencher, and a surfactant may be contained as necessary. Hereinafter, each component will be described.

[(A) Base Resin]

In the inventive resist composition, the base resin (resin A) of the component (A) contains a repeating unit having an acid-labile group and at least one repeating unit having an aromatic substituent.

Examples of the repeating unit having an aromatic substituent in the base resin of the component (A) include the following general formula (A-1):

where R^(A) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R₆₁ represents a hydrogen atom or a linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, optionally having an intervening heteroatom; R₆₂ represents a linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, optionally having an intervening heteroatom; “t” represents an integer of 1 to 3; “u” represents an integer that satisfies u≤5+2s−t; “s” represents 0 or 1; and L₁ represents a single bond, —C(═O)O—, or —C(═O)NH—.

In the above formula, the linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon group represented by R₆₁ has 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 5 carbon atoms and may have an intervening heteroatom. Examples of the hydrocarbon group include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a pentyl group, a hexyl group, a heptyl group, an octyl group, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a 1-methyl-cyclopentyl group, a 1-methyl-cyclohexyl group, and the like, but are not limited thereto.

In the above formula, the linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon group represented by R₆₂ has 1 to 8, preferably 1 to 5 carbon atoms and may have an intervening heteroatom. Examples of the hydrocarbon group include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a pentyl group, a hexyl group, a heptyl group, an octyl group, a cyclopentyl group, and a cyclohexyl group, and specific examples include the following, but are not limited thereto.

Here, the dotted line represents an attachment point (the same shall apply hereinafter).

Specific examples of the repeating unit shown by the general formula (A-1) include the following, but are not limited thereto.

(In the formula, R^(A) has the same meaning as defined above.)

(In the formula, R^(A) has the same meaning as defined above.)

Further examples of the repeating unit having an aromatic substituent in the base resin of the component (A) include the following general formulae (A-2) to (A-4).

In the formulae, R^(A)s each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group. R²⁰¹ represents a single bond, a phenylene group, —O—R²¹⁰—, or —C(═O)—Z²—R₂₁₀—; Z₂ represents an oxygen atom or NH; and R²¹⁰ represents a linear, branched, or cyclic alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a linear, branched, or cyclic alkenylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a phenylene group, optionally containing a carbonyl group (—CO—), an ester group (—COO—), an ether group (—O—), or a hydroxy group. L₂ represents a single bond or —Z³—C(═O)—O— wherein Z³ represents a linear, branched, or cyclic divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms optionally substituted with a heteroatom. Z¹ represents a single bond, a methylene group, an ethylene group, a phenylene group, a fluorinated phenylene group, —O—R²¹¹—, or —C(═O)—Z⁴—R²¹¹—; Z⁴ represents an oxygen atom or NH; and R²¹¹ represents a linear, branched, or cyclic alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a linear, branched, or cyclic alkenylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a phenylene group, optionally containing a carbonyl group, ester group, ether group, or hydroxy group. M⁻ represents a non-nucleophilic counter ion; and examples of M⁻ include hydroxy ion, carboxylate ion, halide ion, nitrate ion, nitrite ion, chlorate ion, bromate ion, methanesulfonate ion, paratoluenesulfonate ion, monomethylsulfate ion, carbonate ion, sulfate ion, and the like. R²⁰², R²⁰³, R²⁰⁴, R²⁰⁵, R²⁰⁶, R²⁰⁷, R²⁰⁸ and R²⁰⁹ each independently represent a linear monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or a branched or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, and the monovalent hydrocarbon group may be substituted with a heteroatom and may have an intervening heteroatom. Specific examples include alkyl groups such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a cyclopropyl group, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a cyclopropylmethyl group, a 4-methylcyclohexyl group, a cyclohexylmethyl group, a norbornyl group, and an adamantyl group; alkenyl groups such as a vinyl group, an allyl group, a propenyl group, a butenyl group, a hexenyl group, and a cyclohexenyl group; aryl groups such as a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, and a thienyl group; and aralkyl groups such as a benzyl group, a 1-phenylethyl group, and a 2-phenylethyl group. Among these, aryl groups are preferable. A part of hydrogen atoms of these groups may be substituted with a heteroatom such as an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a nitrogen atom, and a halogen atom; or a heteroatom such as an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, and a nitrogen atom may be interposed in these groups. As a result, such a group as a hydroxy group, a cyano group, a carbonyl group, an ether bond, an ester bond, a sulfonic acid ester bond, a carbonate bond, a lactone ring, a sultone ring, a carboxylic anhydride, a haloalkyl group may be formed or may be interposed. R²⁰² and R²⁰³ may be bonded with each other to form a ring with the sulfur atom in the formula, or any two or more of R²⁰⁴, R²⁰⁵, and R²⁰⁶, or any two or more of R²⁰⁷, R²⁰⁸ and R²⁰⁹ may be bonded with each other to form a ring with the sulfur atom in the formula. Note that the repeating unit shown by the general formulae (A-2) to (A-4) has one or more aromatic substituents.

In the above formula, when L₂ represents —Z³—C(═O)—O—, specific examples of the linear, branched, or cyclic divalent hydrocarbon group, shown by Z³, having 1 to 20 carbon atoms optionally substituted with a heteroatom include the following, but are not limited thereto.

(In the formulae, the dotted line represents an attachment point.)

In the above formulae, R²⁰² and R²⁰³ are optionally bonded with each other to form a ring with the sulfur atom in the formula, or any two or more of R²⁰⁴, R²⁰⁵, and R²⁰⁶, or any two or more of R²⁰⁷, R²⁰⁸ and R²⁰⁹ are optionally bonded with each other to form a ring with the sulfur atom in the formula, and in such a case, examples include groups shown by the following formulae.

(In the formulae, R²¹² has the same meaning as R²⁰¹ or represents the same groups as those given as examples of the above-described R²⁰², R²⁰³, R²⁰⁴, R²⁰⁵, R²⁰⁶, R²⁰⁷, R²⁰⁸, and R²⁰⁹.)

Specific structures of the sulfonium cations shown in the general formulae (A-3) and (A-4) include the following. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

Examples of the repeating unit having an acid-labile group in the base resin of the component (A) include the following general formula (a1):

where R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and X represents an acid-labile group.

The repeating unit shown by the general formula (a1) is decomposed by the action of an acid to generate a carboxylic acid, and provides an alkali-soluble polymer. Various kinds may be used as the acid-labile group X, and specific examples include groups shown by the following general formulae (L1) to (L9), a tertiary alkyl group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably 4 to 15 carbon atoms, a trialkylsilyl group with each alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and an oxoalkyl group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms.

In the formula (L1), R^(L01) and R^(L02) represent a hydrogen atom or a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 18, preferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and specific examples include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a 2-ethylhexyl group, an n-octyl group, a norbornyl group, a tricyclodecanyl group, a tetracyclododecanyl group, and an adamantyl group. R^(L03) represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 18, preferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms optionally having a heteroatom such as an oxygen atom; and may be exemplified by a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group, and those with a part of hydrogen atoms of these groups substituted with a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group, an oxo group, an amino group, an alkylamino group, etc. Specific examples include the following substituted alkyl groups.

R^(L01) and R^(L02), R^(L01) and R^(L03), and R^(L01)and R^(L03) may be mutually bonded to form a ring with the carbon atom or the oxygen atom to which they are bonded. When the ring is formed, R^(L01), R^(L02), and R^(L03) each represent a linear or branched alkylene group having 1 to 18, preferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

In the formula (L2), R^(L04) represents a tertiary alkyl group having 4 to 20, preferably 4 to 15 carbon atoms, a trialkylsilyl group each alkyl group of which has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an oxoalkyl group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, or the group represented by the general formula (L1). Specific examples of the tertiary alkyl group include a tert-butyl group, a tert-amyl group, a 1,1-diethylpropyl group, a 2-cyclopentylpropane-2-yl group, a 2-cyclohexylpropane-2-yl group, a 2-(bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl)propane-2-yl group, a 2-(adamantane-1-yl)propane-2-yl group, a 1-ethylcyclopentyl group, a 1-butylcyclopentyl group, a 1-ethylcyclohexyl group, a 1-butylcyclohexyl group, a 1-ethyl-2-cyclopentenyl group, a 1-ethyl-2-cyclohexenyl group, a 2-methyl-2-adamantyl group, and a 2-ethyl-2-adamantyl group. Specific examples of the trialkylsilyl group include a trimethylsilyl group, a triethylsilyl group, and a dimethyl-tert-butylsilyl group. Specific examples of the oxoalkyl group include a 3-oxocyclohexyl group, a 4-methyl-2-oxooxan-4-yl group, and a 5-methyl-2-oxooxolan-5-yl group. “1” represents an integer of 0 to 6.

In the formula (L3), R^(L05) represents a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms which may be substituted, or an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms which may be substituted. Specific examples of the alkyl group which may be substituted include linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl groups such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a tert-amyl group, an n-pentyl group, an n-hexyl group, a cyclopentyl group, and a cyclohexyl group, and those with a part of hydrogen atoms of these groups substituted with a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group, a carboxyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an oxo group, an amino group, an alkylamino group, a cyano group, a mercapto group, an alkylthio group, a sulfo group, etc. Specific examples of the aryl group which may be substituted include a phenyl group, a methylphenyl group, a naphthyl group, an anthryl group, a phenanthryl group, and a pyrenyl group. In the formula (L3), “m” represents 0 or 1, “n” represents any one of 0, 1, 2, and 3, and “m” and “n” are numbers satisfying 2m+n=2 or 3.

In the formula (L4), R^(L06) represents a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms which may be substituted or an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms which may be substituted, and specific examples include the same substances as exemplified for R^(L05). R^(L07) to R^(L16) each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms. Specific examples thereof include linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl groups such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a tert-amyl group, an n-pentyl group, an n-hexyl group, an n-octyl group, an n-nonyl group, an n-decyl group, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a cyclopentylmethyl group, a cyclopentylethyl group, a cyclopentylbutyl group, a cyclohexylmethyl group, a cyclohexylethyl group, and a cyclohexylbutyl group, and those with a part of hydrogen atoms of these groups substituted with a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group, a carboxyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an oxo group, an amino group, an alkylamino group, a cyano group, a mercapto group, an alkylthio group, a sulfo group, etc. R^(L07) to R^(L16) may be bonded with each other to form a ring (for example, R^(L07) and R^(L08), R^(L07) and R^(L09), R^(L08) and R^(L10), R^(L09) and R^(L10), R^(L11) and R^(L12), and R^(L13) and R^(L14)). In this case, these represent divalent hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, and may be specifically exemplified by substances obtained by removing one hydrogen atom from the above-exemplified monovalent hydrocarbon group. In addition, two of R^(L07) to R^(L16) that are attached to adjacent carbon atoms may be mutually bonded without any interposition to form a double bond (for example, R^(L07) and R^(L09), R^(L09) and R^(L15), and R^(L13) and R^(L15)).

In the formula (L5) , R^(L17), R^(L18), and R^(L19) each independently represent a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms. Specific examples include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a 2-ethylhexyl group, an n-octyl group, a 1-adamantyl group, and a 2-adamantyl group.

In the formula (L6), R^(L20) represents a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms which may be substituted, or an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms which may be substituted, and specific examples include those the same as R^(L05).

In the formula (L7), R^(L21) represents a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms which may be substituted, or an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms which may be substituted, and specific examples include those the same as R^(L05).

R^(L24) represents a divalent group that forms a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentane ring, cyclohexane ring, or norbornane ring with a carbon atom bonded to R^(L24). R^(L22) and R^(L23) each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. R^(L22) and R^(L23) may bond with each other to form a ring with a carbon atom bonded to R^(L22) and R^(L23). In that case, R^(L22) and R^(L23) represent a divalent group that forms a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentane ring or cyclohexane ring. “p” represents 1 or 2.

In the formula (L8), R^(L25) represents a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms which may be substituted, or an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms which may be substituted, and specific examples include those the same as R^(L05).

R^(L28) represents a divalent group that forms a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentane ring, cyclohexane ring, or norbornane ring with a carbon atom bonded to R^(L28). R^(L26) and R^(L27) each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. R^(L26) and R^(L27) may bond with each other to form a ring with a carbon atom bonded to R^(L26) and R^(L27). In that case, R^(L26) and R^(L27) represent a divalent group that forms a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentane ring or cyclohexane ring. “q” represents 1 or 2.

In the formula (L9), R^(L29) represents a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms which may be substituted, or an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms which may be substituted, and specific examples include those the same as R^(L05).

R^(L32) represents a divalent group that forms a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentane ring, cyclohexane ring, or norbornane ring with a carbon atom bonded to R^(L32). R^(L30) and R^(L31) each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. R^(L30) and R^(L31) may bond with each other to form a ring with a carbon atom bonded to R^(L30) and R^(L31). In that case, R^(L30) and R^(L31) represent a divalent group that forms a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentane ring or cyclohexane ring.

Among acid-labile groups represented by the formula (L1), specific examples of linear or branched acid-labile groups include the following groups.

Among acid-labile groups represented by the formula (L1), specific examples of cyclic acid-labile groups include a tetrahydrofuran-2-yl group, a 2-methyltetrahydrofuran-2-yl group, a tetrahydropyran-2-yl group, and a 2-methyltetrahydropyran-2-yl group.

Specific examples of the acid-labile group of the formula (L2) include a tert-butoxycarbonyl group, a tert-butoxycarbonylmethyl group, a tert-amyloxycarbonyl group, a tert-amyloxycarbonylmethyl group, a 1,1-diethylpropyloxycarbonyl group, a 1,1-diethylpropyloxycarbonylmethyl group, a 1-ethylcyclopentyloxycarbonyl group, a 1-ethylcyclopentyloxycarbonylmethyl group, a 1-ethyl-2-cyclopentenyloxycarbonyl group, a 1-ethyl-2-cyclopentenyloxycarbonylmethyl group, a 1-ethoxyethoxycarbonylmethyl group, a 2-tetrahydropyranyloxycarbonylmethyl group, and a 2-tetrahydrofuranyloxycarbonylmethyl group.

Specific examples of the acid-labile group of the formula (L3) include 1-methylcyclopentyl, 1-ethylcyclopentyl, 1-n-propylcyclopentyl, 1-isopropylcyclopentyl, 1-n-butylcyclopentyl, 1-sec-butylcyclopentyl, 1-tert-butylcyclopentyl, 1-cyclohexylcyclopentyl, 1-(4-methoxy-n-butyl)cyclopentyl, 1-methylcyclohexyl, 1-ethylcyclohexyl, 3-methyl-1-cyclopenten-3-yl, 3-ethyl-1-cyclopenten-3-yl, 3-methyl-1-cyclohexen-3-yl, and 3-ethyl-1-cyclohexen-3-yl.

As the acid-labile group of the formula (L4), groups represented by the following formulae (L4-1) to (L4-4) are particularly preferable.

In the general formulae (L4-1) to (L4-4), the dotted line shows a bonding position and a bonding direction. Each R^(L41) independently represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group such as a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and specific examples thereof include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a tert-amyl group, an n-pentyl group, an n-hexyl group, a cyclopentyl group, and a cyclohexyl group.

In the general formulae (L4-1) to (L4-4), an enantiomer or a diastereomer can exist. The general formulae (L4-1) to (L4-4) represent all of these stereoisomers. These stereoisomers may be used alone or as a mixture.

For example, the general formula (L4-3) collectively represents one group or a mixture of two groups selected from the groups represented by the following general formulae (L4-3-1) and (L4-3-2).

In addition, the general formula (L4-4) collectively represents one group or a mixture of two or more groups selected from the groups represented by the following general formulae (L4-4-1) to (L4-4-4).

The general formulae (L4-1) to (L4-4), (L4-3-1), (L4-3-2), and (L4-4-1) to (L4-4-4) also represent enantiomers thereof and a mixture of the enantiomers.

Meanwhile, a high reactivity in the acid-catalyzed elimination reaction is realized when each bonding direction of (L4-1) to (L4-4), (L4-3-1), (L4-3-2), and (L4-4-1) to (L4-4-4) points in the exo-direction of the bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ring (see JP 2000-336121 A). In the production of a monomer having a substituent of a tertiary exo-alkyl group that has a bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane skeleton, there is a case that a monomer substituted with the endo-alkyl group represented by the following general formulae (L4-1-endo) to (L4-4-endo) is contained. In such a case, to accomplish good reactivity, the exo-ratio is preferably 50% or more, and the exo-ratio is further preferably 80% or more.

(See JP 2000-336121 A)

Specific examples of the acid-labile group of the formula (L4) include the following groups.

Specific examples of the tertiary alkyl group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, the trialkylsilyl group with each alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and the oxoalkyl group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms include the same substances as exemplified for R^(L04).

Specific examples of the acid-labile group of the formula (L5) include a tert-butyl group, a tert-amyl group, and the following groups.

Specific examples of the acid-labile group of the formula (L6) include the following groups.

Specific examples of the acid-labile group of the formula (L7) include the following groups.

Specific examples of the acid-labile group of the formula (L8) include the following groups.

Specific examples of the acid-labile group of the formula (L9) include the following groups.

Specific examples of the monomer represented by the general formula (a1) include the following, but are not limited thereto.

(In the formula, R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.)

(In the formula, R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.)

(In the formula, R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.)

(In the formula, R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.)

Furthermore, in the base resin of the component (A), a monomer shown by the following general formulae (a2) to (a4) is preferably used as necessary in addition to the unit shown by the general formula (a1).

(In the formula, R¹ has the same meaning as defined above. R⁵ and R⁶ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy group. Y represents a substituent having a lactone structure, or a substituent having a sultone structure. Z represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorinated hydrocarbon group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, or a fluoroalcohol-containing substituent having 1 to 15 carbon atoms.)

Specific examples of the unit shown by the general formula (a2) include the following, but are not limited thereto.

Specific examples of the monomer shown by the general formula (a3) include the following, but are not limited thereto.

(In the formula, R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.)

(In the formula, R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.)

(In the formula, R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.)

(In the formula, R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.)

Specific examples of the repeating unit shown by the general formula (a4) include the following, but are not limited thereto.

In the inventive resist composition, a monomer containing a carbon-carbon double bond other than those described above, for example, substituted acrylic esters such as methyl methacrylate, methyl crotonate, dimethyl maleate, and dimethyl itaconate, unsaturated carboxylic acids such as maleic acid, fumaric acid, and itaconic acid, cyclic olefins such as norbornene, norbornene derivatives, and tetracyclo[4.4.0.1^(2,5).17^(7,10)]dodecene derivatives, acid anhydrides such as itaconic anhydride, α-methylene-γ-butyrolactones, α-methylstyrenes, and other monomers may be used.

The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the resin A (base resin of the component (A)) is preferably 1,000 to 500,000, and more preferably 3,000 to 100,000. With the above-described range, there is no risk of etching resistance lowering, and resolution deteriorating due to insufficient contrast before and after the exposure. Note that in the present invention, Mw is a value measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) in terms of polystyrene using tetrahydrofuran (THF) or dimethylacetamide (DMF) as an eluent.

Furthermore, in the resin A, when the molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) is broad, polymers having a low molecular weight and high molecular weight are present, and therefore, there is a risk that foreign matters are found on the pattern or that the shape of the pattern is degraded after the exposure. As a pattern rule is miniaturized, the influence of such molecular weight and molecular weight distribution is liable to increase, and therefore, the molecular weight distribution of the resin A preferably has a narrow dispersity of 1.0 to 2.0, in particular, 1.0 to 1.5 to obtain a resist composition used favorably in fine pattern dimensions.

Methods for synthesizing the resin A include a method of performing heat polymerization on a monomer having an unsaturated bond for obtaining a repeating unit represented by the formula (a1), and if necessary, repeating units represented by the formulae (a2) to (a4) and other repeating units by adding a radical initiator in an organic solvent, for example. Examples of the organic solvent used in the polymerization include toluene, benzene, THF, diethyl ether, dioxane, methyl ethyl ketone, γ-butyrolactone, and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (PGMEA). Illustrative examples of the polymerization initiator include 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), 2,2′-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile), dimethyl 2,2-azobis(2-methylpropionate), benzoyl peroxide, and lauroyl peroxide. The reaction temperature is preferably 50 to 150° C., more preferably 60 to 100° C. The reaction time is preferably 2 to 24 hours. The acid-labile group introduced into the monomer may be used as it is or may be protected or partially protected after polymerization. In addition, the polymerization may be performed using a known chain transfer agent such as dodecyl mercaptan and 2-mercaptoethanol to adjust the molecular weight. In this case, the chain transfer agent is preferably added in an amount of 0.01 to 10 by molar ratio in relation to all the monomers to be polymerized.

In the resin A, the preferable amount of the respective repeating units obtained from respective monomers may be, for example, in the range shown below, but is not limited thereto.

-   (I) a repeating unit represented by the formula (a1) is preferably     contained in an amount of 1 to 99 mol %, more preferably 20 to 95     mol %, furthermore preferably 30 to 90 mol %, if necessary, -   (II) a repeating unit represented by the formula (A-1) is preferably     contained in an amount of 1 to 70 mol %, more preferably 5 to 60 mol     %, and furthermore preferably 10 to 60 mol %, -   (III) at least one repeating unit selected from the repeating units     represented by the formulae (A-2) to (A-4) is preferably contained     in an amount of 1 to 40 mol %, more preferably 3 to 35 mol %, and     furthermore preferably 5 to 30 mol %, -   (IV) at least one repeating unit selected from the repeating units     represented by the formulae (a2) to (a4) is preferably contained in     an amount of 0 to 99 mol %, more preferably 0 to 90 mol %, and     furthermore preferably 0 to 70 mol %, and -   (V) and other repeating units may be contained in an amount of     preferably 0 to 99 mol %, more preferably 0 to 70 mol %, and     furthermore preferably 0 to 50 mol %.

Note that the base resin of the component (A) may contain two or more resins having different composition ratios, molecular weights, or molecular weight distributions, and if necessary, a resin that does not contain the repeating unit represented by the formula (a1) may be contained in addition to a resin having a repeating unit having an acid-labile group.

[(B) Photo-Acid Generator]

The inventive resist composition contains, as the component (B), a photo-acid generator shown by the following formula (B-1),

where W₁ represents a cyclic divalent hydrocarbon group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms and containing a heteroatom; W₂ represents a cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 4 to 14 carbon atoms and not containing a heteroatom; Rf represents a divalent organic group shown by the above general formula; A₁ and A₂ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a trifluoromethyl group; B₁ and B₂ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, or a trifluoromethyl group; * represents an attachment point for a carbonyloxy group; “m” represents an integer of 0 to 4; “n” represents an integer of 0 or 1; and M⁺ represents an onium cation.

Specific examples of the cyclic divalent hydrocarbon group represented by W₁ having 4 to 12 carbon atoms and containing a heteroatom include the following.

(* represents an attachment point for an oxycarbonyl group.)

A particularly preferable example for W₁ includes a cyclic divalent hydrocarbon group containing a lactone ring structure, and a cyclic divalent hydrocarbon group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms and containing a lactone ring structure is particularly preferable. It is possible to further suppress acid diffusion by having a lactone ring arranged in a position near a sulfonic acid group at the time of acid generation after exposure.

Specific examples of the cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group represented by W₂ having 4 to 14 carbon atoms and not containing a heteroatom include the following.

(The dotted line represents an attachment point.)

W₂ is preferably a polycyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 7 to 14 carbon atoms and not containing a heteroatom. Particularly preferable groups as W₂ include an adamantyl group. It becomes possible to provide a suitable solubility by arranging a highly annelated hydrocarbon group at the terminal.

Rf represents a divalent organic group shown by the above general formula. Here, A₁ and A₂ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a trifluoromethyl group; B₁ and B₂ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, or a trifluoromethyl group; and * represents an attachment point for a carbonyloxy group. “m” represents an integer of 0 to 4; and “n” represents an integer of 0 or 1. Preferably, m+n>0 holds.

In particular, the group Rf is preferably selected from groups shown by the following formulae (Rf-1) to (Rf-6),

where * represents an attachment point for a carbonyloxy group.

The photo-acid generator shown by the formula (B-1) preferably has such an Rf since solubility is enhanced by the effect of the fluorine atom, and a sulfonic acid that is generated after exposure comes to have a suitable acidity.

Specific examples of the structure of the anion moiety of the photo-acid generator shown by the formula (B-1) are shown below but are not limited thereto.

In the formula (B-1), the onium cation represented by M⁺ is preferably at least one cation selected from the cations shown by the following formulae (b1) and (b2).

In the formulae (b1) and (b2), R⁴¹ to R⁴⁵ each independently represent a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and optionally containing a heteroatom. In addition, any two out of R⁴¹, R⁴², and R⁴³ may be bonded with each other to form a ring with the sulfur atom in the formula.

Examples of the monovalent hydrocarbon groups represented by R⁴¹ to R⁴⁵ include alkyl groups such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a cyclopropyl group, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a cyclopropylmethyl group, a 4-methylcyclohexyl group, a cyclohexylmethyl group, a norbornyl group, and an adamantyl group; alkenyl groups such as a vinyl group, an allyl group, a propenyl group, a butenyl group, a hexenyl group, and a cyclohexenyl group; aryl groups such as a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, and a thienyl group; and aralkyl groups such as a benzyl group, a 1-phenylethyl group, and a 2-phenylethyl group. Among these, aryl groups are preferable. Furthermore, a part of the hydrogen atoms of the monovalent hydrocarbon groups may be substituted with a group containing a heteroatom such as an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a nitrogen atom, and a halogen atom; and a part of the carbon atoms of the monovalent hydrocarbon groups may be substituted with a group containing a heteroatom such as an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, and a nitrogen atom. As a result, the monovalent hydrocarbon groups may contain a hydroxy group, a cyano group, a carbonyl group, an ether group, an ester group, a sulfonic acid ester group, a carbonate group, a lactone ring, a sultone ring, a carboxylic anhydride, a haloalkyl group, etc.

Examples of the sulfonium cation represented by the formula (b1) include those shown below, but are not limited thereto.

Examples of the iodonium cation represented by the formula (b2) include those shown below, but are not limited thereto.

In addition, the inventive resist composition may also further contain a photo-acid generator other than the above-described photo-acid generator to make fine adjustments to lithography performance. As the other photo-acid generators, any compound that generates acid by irradiation with a high-energy beam is possible, and a known photo-acid generator used in conventional resist compositions, in particular, chemically amplified resist compositions are sufficient. Favorable photo-acid generators as the other photo-acid generators include a sulfonium salt, an iodonium salt, sulfonyldiazomethane, N-sulfonyloxyimide, and an oxime-o-sulfonate type acid generator. These may be used alone or as a mixture of two or more kinds. As an acid generated from the other photo-acid generators, a strong acid such as a sulfonic acid, bis(perfluoroalkanesulfonyl)imide, and tris(perfluoromethanesulfonyl)methide, or a weak acid such as a carboxylic acid are preferable.

Specific examples of the other photo-acid generators include, for example, the following formula (B-2) , formula (B-3) , and formula (B-4).

In the formula (B-2), A^(l) represents a hydrogen atom or a trifluoromethyl group. R²¹ represents a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 35 carbon atoms optionally containing an oxygen atom, a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group, or a group represented by the following formula (i). M⁺ represents an onium cation.

In the formula (i) , R³¹ and R³² each independently represent a hydrogen atom, or a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms optionally containing a heteroatom. R³¹ and R³² optionally bond with each other to form a ring with a nitrogen atom bonded to R³¹ and R³². R³³ represents a linear, branched, or cyclic divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms optionally containing a heteroatom.

Examples of the monovalent hydrocarbon group optionally containing an oxygen atom represented by R²¹ include alkyl groups such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a pentyl group, a hexyl group, a heptyl group, an octyl group, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a cycloheptyl group, a cyclopropylmethyl group, a 4-methylcyclohexyl group, a cyclohexylmethyl group, a norbornyl group, a 1-adamantyl group, and a 1-adamantylmethyl group; steroid-structure-containing groups; oxoalkyl groups such as a 2-oxocyclopentyl group, a 2-oxocyclohexyl group, a 4-oxocyclohexyl group, a 2-oxopropyl group, a 2-oxoethyl group, a 2-cyclopentyl-2-oxoethyl group, a 2-cyclohexyl-2-oxoethyl group, a 2-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-2-oxoethyl group, a 4-oxa-tricyclo[4.2.1.0^(3,7)]nonane-5-one-9-yl group, and a 4-oxo-1-adamantyl group; aryl groups including a phenyl group, a 1-naphthyl group, a 2-naphthyl group, an anthranyl group, a thienyl group, a 4-hydroxyphenyl group, alkoxyphenyl groups such as a 4-methoxyphenyl group, a 3-methoxyphenyl group, a 2-methoxyphenyl group, a 4-ethoxyphenyl group, a 4-tert-butoxyphenyl group, a 3-tert-butoxyphenyl group, etc., alkylphenyl groups such as a 2-methylphenyl group, a 3-methylphenyl group, a 4-methylphenyl group, a 4-ethylphenyl group, a 4-tert-butylphenyl group, a 4-n-butylphenyl group, a 2,4-dimethylphenyl group, etc., alkylnaphthyl groups such as a methylnaphthyl group, an ethylnaphthyl group, etc., alkoxynaphthyl groups such as a methoxynaphthyl group, ethoxynaphthyl group, etc., dialkylnaphthyl groups such as a dimethylnaphthyl group, a diethylnaphthyl group, etc., and dialkoxynaphthyl groups such as a dimethoxynaphthyl group, a diethoxynaphthyl group, etc.; aralkyl groups such as a benzyl group, a 1-phenylethyl group, and a 2-phenylethyl group; and aryloxoalkyl groups such as a 2-aryl-2-oxoethyl groups such as a 2-phenyl-2-oxoethyl group, a 2-(1-naphthyl)-2-oxoethyl group, and a 2-(2-naphthyl)-2-oxoethyl group. Other examples include a vinyl group and an isopropenyl group.

Examples of the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group represented by R²¹ include aziridine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine, pyrrole, pyridine, azetine, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, isothiazole, imidazole, pyrazole, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyrroline, 2-imidazoline, imidazolidine, 3-pyrazoline, pyrazolidine, piperazine, triazine, oxadiazine, dithiazine, indole, isoindole, quinoline, isoquinoline, cinnoline, phthalazine, quinazoline, quinoxaline, 1,8-naphthyridine, purine, pteridine, indolizine, carbazole, acridine, phenazine, phenanthridine, 1,10-phenanthroline, phenoxazine, indoline, isoindoline, quinuclidine, benzo[e]indole, and benzo[cd]indole.

Particularly preferable examples of R²¹ include a tert-butyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a 1-adamantyl group, a 1-adamantylmethyl group, a 4-oxa-tricyclo[4.2.1.0^(3,7)]nonane-5-one-9-yl group, a 4-oxo-1-adamantyl group, and a steroid-structure-containing alkyl group.

In the formula (i), examples of the monovalent hydrocarbon groups represented by R³¹ and R³² include alkyl groups such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a pentyl group, a hexyl group, a heptyl group, an octyl group, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a cycloheptyl group, a cyclopropylmethyl group, a 4-methylcyclohexyl group, a cyclohexylmethyl group, a norbornyl group, and an adamantyl group; alkenyl groups such as a vinyl group, an allyl group, a propenyl group, a butenyl group, a hexenyl group, and a cyclohexenyl group; aryl groups such as a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, and a thienyl group; and aralkyl groups such as a benzyl group, a 1-phenylethyl group, and a 2-phenylethyl group. Furthermore, in the hydrocarbon group, a part of the hydrogen atoms of these groups may be substituted with the monovalent hydrocarbon group or a group containing a heteroatom such as an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a nitrogen atom, and a halogen atom; or a part of the carbon atoms of these groups may be substituted with a group containing a heteroatom such as an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, and a nitrogen atom. As a result, these groups may contain a hydroxy group, a cyano group, a carbonyl group, an ether group, an ester group, a sulfonic acid group, a carbonate group, a lactone ring, a sultone ring, a carboxylic anhydride, a haloalkyl group, etc.

When R³¹ and R³² bond with each other to form a ring with a nitrogen atom bonded to R³¹ and R³², specific examples of rings include aziridine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine, pyrrole, pyridine, azetine, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, isothiazole, imidazole, pyrazole, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyrroline, 2-imidazoline, imidazolidine, 3-pyrazoline, pyrazolidine, piperazine, triazine, oxadiazine, dithiazine, indole, isoindole, quinoline, isoquinoline, cinnoline, phthalazine, quinazoline, quinoxaline, 1,8-naphthyridine, purine, pteridine, indolizine, carbazole, acridine, phenazine, phenanthridine, 1,10-phenanthroline, phenoxazine, indoline, isoindoline, quinuclidine, benzo[e]indole, and benzo[cd]indole. In addition, a part of the hydrogen atoms of these rings may be substituted with the above-described hydrocarbon group or a group containing a heteroatom such as an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a nitrogen atom, and a halogen atom; or a part of the carbon atoms of these rings may be substituted with a group containing a heteroatom such as an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, and a nitrogen atom. As a result, these groups may contain a hydroxy group, a cyano group, a carbonyl group, an ether group, an ester group, a sulfonic acid group, a carbonate group, a lactone ring, a sultone ring, a carboxylic anhydride, a haloalkyl group, etc.

In the formula (i), examples of the divalent hydrocarbon group represented by R³³ include linear alkanediyl groups such as a methylene group, an ethylene group, a propane-1,3-diyl group, a butane-1,4-diyl group, a pentane-1,5-diyl group, a hexane-1,6-diyl group, a heptane-1,7-diyl group, an octane-1,8-diyl group, a nonane-1,9-diyl group, a decane-1,10-diyl group, an undecane-1,11-diyl group, a dodecane-1,12-diyl group, a tridecane-1,13-diyl group, a tetradecane-1,14-diyl group, a pentadecane-1,15-diyl group, a hexadecane-1,16-diyl group, and a heptadecane-1,17-diyl group; branched alkanediyl groups with a side chain of a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, a butyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, etc. added to the linear alkanediyl groups; saturated cyclic hydrocarbon groups such as a cyclopentanediyl group, a cyclohexanediyl group, a norbornanediyl group, and an adamantanediyl group; and unsaturated cyclic divalent hydrocarbon groups such as a phenylene group and a naphthylene group. In addition, a part of hydrogen atoms of these groups may be substituted with a group containing a heteroatom such as an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a nitrogen atom, and a halogen atom; or a part of the carbon atoms of these groups may be interposed by a group containing a heteroatom such as an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, and a nitrogen atom. As a result, these groups may contain a hydroxy group, a cyano group, a carbonyl group, an ether group, an ester group, a sulfonic acid group, a carbonate group, a lactone ring, a sultone ring, a carboxylic anhydride, a haloalkyl group, etc.

Specific examples of the structure of the anion moiety of the photo-acid generator shown by the formula (B-2) are shown below but are not limited thereto. Note that in the following formulae, A^(l) has the same meaning as defined above.

In the formula (B-2), the onium cation represented by M⁺ is preferably at least one cation selected from the cations shown by the formulae (b1) and (b2).

In the formula (B-3), A² represents a hydrogen atom or a trifluoromethyl group. R²², R²³, and R²⁴ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms optionally containing a heteroatom. “p” and “q” each independently represent an integer of 0 to 5. “r” represents an integer of 0 to 4. L represents a single bond, an ether group, or a linear, branched, or cyclic divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms optionally containing a heteroatom.

Examples of the monovalent hydrocarbon group represented by R²², R²³, and R²⁴ include alkyl groups such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a tert-pentyl group, an n-pentyl group, an n-hexyl group, an n-octyl group, an n-nonyl group, an n-decyl group, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a 2-ethylhexyl group, a cyclopentylmethyl group, a cyclopentylethyl group, a cyclopentylbutyl group, a cyclohexylmethyl group, a cyclohexylethyl group, a cyclohexylbutyl group, a norbornyl group, an oxanorbornyl group, a tricyclo[5.2.1.0^(2,6)]decanyl group, and an adamantyl group. In addition, a part of hydrogen atoms of these groups may be substituted with a group containing a heteroatom such as an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a nitrogen atom, and a halogen atom; or a part of the carbon atoms of these groups may be substituted with a group containing a heteroatom such as an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, and a nitrogen atom. As a result, these groups may contain a hydroxy group, a cyano group, a carbonyl group, an ether group, an ester group, a sulfonic acid ester group, a carbonate group, a lactone ring, a sultone ring, a carboxylic anhydride, a haloalkyl group, etc. A methyl group, a methoxy group, a tert-butyl group, a tert-butoxy group, etc. are preferable as R²², R²³ and R²⁴.

In the formula (B-3), examples of the divalent hydrocarbon group represented by L include the same groups as those exemplified as R³³, and furthermore, a combination of two or more of these groups is also possible. In addition, a part of hydrogen atoms of these groups may be substituted with a group containing a heteroatom such as an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a nitrogen atom, and a halogen atom; or a part of the carbon atoms of these groups may be substituted with a group containing a heteroatom such as an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, and a nitrogen atom. As a result, these groups may contain a hydroxy group, a cyano group, a carbonyl group, an ether group, an ester group, a sulfonic acid ester group, a carbonate group, a lactone ring, a sultone ring, a carboxylic anhydride, a haloalkyl group, etc.

Examples of the photo-acid generator shown by the formula (B-3) include those shown below, but are not limited thereto. Note that in the following formulae, A² has the same meaning as defined above.

(B) the photo-acid generator may further contain a compound shown by the formula (B-4). In the formula (B-4), A³ and A⁴ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a trifluoromethyl group, and are not both a hydrogen atom at the same time. R²⁵ represents a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 35 carbon atoms optionally containing an oxygen atom, a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group, or a group shown by the formula (i). M⁺ is the same as the above-mentioned onium cation.

Specific examples of the structure of the anion moiety of the photo-acid generator shown by the formula (B-4) are shown below but are not limited thereto.

Among the above-described other photo-acid generators, the compounds having a fluorine-atom-containing structure including a trifluoromethyl group in the anion structure portion each have a high hydrophobicity and little elution to immersion liquid. In addition, since the compounds have a fluorine-atom-containing structure, solvent solubility is high, and it becomes possible to reduce the residue after development in organic solvent development. In this manner, defects after development can be reduced, and this is suitable for a resist composition for ArF immersion exposure.

Specific examples other than the above-described photo-acid generators include, for example, the compounds disclosed in paragraphs [0122] to [0142] of JP 2008-111103 A, and particularly preferable examples include the compounds disclosed in paragraphs [0088] to [0092] of JP 2014-001259 A, the compounds disclosed in paragraphs [0015] to [0017] of JP 2012-41320 A, and compounds disclosed in paragraphs [0015] to [0029] of JP 2012-106986 A. The partially fluorinated sulfonic-acid-generating photo-acid generators disclosed in the patent documents have suitable strength and diffusion length of the generated acid, particularly in ArF lithography, and may be used favorably.

The photo-acid generator of the component (B) is preferably contained in an amount of 0.1 to 50 parts by mass, more preferably 0.2 to 40 parts by mass, and further preferably 0.3 to 35 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the base resin of the component (A). Within the above ranges, resolution is not degraded, and there is no risk of problems of foreign matters occurring after development of or when delaminating a resist film. Note that when a compound shown by the formula (B-4) is added, the content amount is preferably 0 to 50 mass % of the photo-acid generator of the component (B).

[(C) Solvent]

The inventive resist composition contains a solvent as the component (C). Examples of the solvent include those disclosed in paragraphs [0144] to [0145] of JP 2008-111103 A: ketones such as cyclohexanone and methyl-2-n-pentyl ketone; alcohols such as 3-methoxybutanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, and 1-ethoxy-2-propanol; ethers such as propylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, and diethylene glycol dimethyl ether; esters such as PGMEA, propylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, ethyl lactate, ethyl pyruvate, butyl acetate, methyl 3-methoxypropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, tert-butyl acetate, tert-butyl propionate, and propylene glycol mono-tert-butyl ether acetate; lactones such as γ-butyrolactone; keto-alcohols such as diacetonealcohol; and mixed solvents thereof. When an acetal-based acid-labile group is used, a high-boiling-point alcohol-based solvent, specifically, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerin, 1,4-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, etc., may be added in order to accelerate deprotection reaction of the acetal.

The solvent of the component (C) is preferably contained in an amount of 100 to 10,000 parts by mass, more preferably 300 to 8,000 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the base resin of the component (A).

[(D) Fluorine-Containing Resin]

The inventive resist composition may contain a resin being a fluorine-containing resin containing at least one repeating unit selected from repeating units shown by the following formulae (D-1), (D-2), and (D-3), where the resin is different from the resin A.

In the formula, R^(A) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group. R⁵¹ and R⁵² each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. R⁵³ represents a single bond or a linear or branched divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. R⁵⁴, R⁵⁵, and R⁵⁶ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group, fluorinated monovalent hydrocarbon group, or acyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, or an acid-labile group. When R⁵⁴, R⁵⁵, and R⁵⁶ represent the monovalent hydrocarbon group or the fluorinated monovalent hydrocarbon group, some carbon atoms thereof are optionally substituted with an ether group or a carbonyl group. R⁵⁷ represents a linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon group or fluorinated hydrocarbon group with a valency of (v+1) having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. “v” represents an integer of 1 to 3.

Examples of the monovalent hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms represented by R⁵¹ and R⁵² include alkyl groups such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, a cyclopropyl group, an n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a cyclobutyl group, an n-pentyl group, a cyclopentyl group, an n-hexyl group, a cyclohexyl group, an n-heptyl group, an n-octyl group, an n-nonyl group, an n-decyl group, an adamantyl group, and a norbornyl group. Among these groups, a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms is preferable.

Specific examples of the divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms represented by R⁵³ include a methylene group, an ethylene group, a trimethylene group, a propylene group, a tetramethylene group, and a pentamethylene group.

Examples of the monovalent hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 15 carbon atoms represented by R⁵⁴, R⁵⁵, and R⁵⁶ include an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, and an alkynyl group, and an alkyl group is preferable. Other than those described above, examples of the alkyl group include an n-undecyl group, an n-dodecyl group, a tridecyl group, a tetradecyl group, and a pentadecyl group. Examples of the fluorinated monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms include groups having some or all of the hydrogen atoms bonded to the carbon atoms of the above-described monovalent hydrocarbon groups substituted with a fluorine atom. As stated above, a part of these carbon atoms may be substituted with an ether group or a carbonyl group.

When R⁵⁴, R⁵⁵, and R⁵⁶ represent acid-labile groups, specific examples thereof include groups shown by the above-described formulae (L1) to (L9), a tertiary alkyl group having 4 to 20, preferably 4 to 15 carbon atoms, a trialkylsilyl group with each alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and an oxoalkyl group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms.

Examples of the hydrocarbon group or fluorinated hydrocarbon group with a valency of (v+1) having 1 to 20 carbon atoms represented by R⁵⁷ include groups further having a required number of hydrogen atoms removed from the above-described monovalent hydrocarbon group or fluorinated monovalent hydrocarbon group, etc.

Examples of the repeating unit shown by the formula (D-1) include those shown below, but are not limited thereto. Note that in the following formulae, R^(A) has the same meaning as defined above.

Examples of the repeating unit shown by the formula (D-2) include those shown below, but are not limited thereto. Note that in the following formulae R^(A) has the same meaning as defined above.

Examples of the repeating unit shown by the formula (D-3) include those shown below, but are not limited thereto. Note that in the following formulae, R^(A) has the same meaning as defined above.

The Mw of the fluorine-containing resin of the component (D) is preferably 1,000 to 100,000, more preferably 3,000 to 15,000. Mw/Mn is preferably 1.0 to 2.0, more preferably 1.0 to 1.6.

To synthesize the fluorine-containing resin of the component (D) one method is to perform heat polymerization on a monomer having an unsaturated bond for obtaining a repeating unit represented by the formulae (D-1) to (D-3) and other repeating units as necessary by adding a radical initiator in an organic solvent. Examples of the organic solvent used in the polymerization include toluene, benzene, THF, diethyl ether, dioxane, methyl ethyl ketone, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate. Examples of the polymerization initiator include AIBN, 2,2′-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile), dimethyl 2,2-azobis(2-methylpropionate), benzoyl peroxide, and lauroyl peroxide. The reaction temperature is preferably 50 to 100° C. The reaction time is preferably 4 to 24 hours. As the acid-labile group, the acid-labile group introduced into the monomer may be used as it is or may be protected or partially protected after polymerization. In addition, the polymerization may be performed using known chain transfer agents such as dodecyl mercaptan and 2-mercaptoethanol to adjust the molecular weight. In this case, the chain transfer agent is preferably added in an amount of 0.01 to 10 by molar ratio in relation to all the monomers to be polymerized.

When the inventive resist composition contains a fluorine-containing resin of the component (D), the content amount thereof is preferably 0.1 to 50 parts by mass, more preferably 0.5 to 10 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the base resin of the component (A). When the content amount is within the above range, the contact angle between a resist film surface and water increases sufficiently, and defects due to remaining immersion liquid and elution of an acid generator or a quencher can be suppressed. Furthermore, it becomes possible to adjust the solubility of the resist film surface, and a favorable critical dimension uniformity can be achieved.

[Other Components]

The inventive resist composition may contain an amine compound, a sulfonic acid salt, or a carboxylic acid salt as a quencher as necessary. Herein, the quencher means a compound that can suppress diffusion rate when an acid generated from the photo-acid generator is diffused into a resist film.

Among such quenchers, examples of the amine compound include primary, secondary, or tertiary amine compounds disclosed in paragraphs [0146] to [0164] of JP 2008-111103 A, and particularly preferable examples include amine compounds having any of a hydroxy group, an ether group, an ester group, a lactone ring, a cyano group, or a sulfonic acid ester group. Other examples include a compound having a primary or secondary amine protected by forming a carbamate group as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3790649. A protected amine compound as described is effective when there is a component that is unstable to a base in the resist composition.

Examples of the sulfonic acid salt include compounds shown by the following formula (Z1). Meanwhile, examples of the carboxylic acid salt include compounds shown by the following formula (Z2).

R¹⁰¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 40 carbon atoms optionally containing a heteroatom, but excluding groups having a hydrogen atom bonded to a carbon atom in an a position of a sulfo group in which the hydrogen atom is substituted with a fluorine atom or a fluoroalkyl group. M⁺ each independently represents an onium cation, and examples include those exemplified above.

The hydrocarbyl group may be saturated or unsaturated, and may be any of linear, branched, or cyclic. Specific examples thereof include alkyl groups such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a tert-pentyl group, an n-pentyl group, an n-hexyl group, an n-octyl group, a 2-ethylhexyl group, an n-nonyl group, and an n-decyl group; cyclic saturated hydrocarbyl groups such as a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a cyclopentylmethyl group, a cyclopentylethyl group, a cyclopentylbutyl group, a cyclohexylmethyl group, a cyclohexylethyl group, a cyclohexylbutyl group, a norbornyl group, a tricyclo[5.2.1.0^(2,6)]decanyl group, an adamantyl group, and an adamantylmethyl group; alkenyl groups such as a vinyl group, an allyl group, a propenyl group, a butenyl group, and a hexenyl group; unsaturated aliphatic cyclic hydrocarbyl groups such as a cyclohexenyl group; aryl groups such as a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, alkylphenyl groups (a 2-methylphenyl group, a 3-methylphenyl group, a 4-methylphenyl group, a 4-ethylphenyl group, a 4-tert-butylphenyl group, a 4-n-butylphenyl group, etc.), dialkylphenyl groups (a 2,4-dimethylphenyl group, a 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl group, etc.), alkylnaphthyl groups (a methylnaphthyl group, an ethylnaphthyl group, etc.), and dialkylnaphthyl groups (a dimethylnaphthyl group, a diethylnaphthyl group, etc.); heteroaryl groups such as a thienyl group; and aralkyl groups such as a benzyl group, a 1-phenylethyl group, and a 2-phenylethyl group.

In addition, a part of hydrogen atoms of these groups may be substituted with a group containing a heteroatom such as an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a nitrogen atom, and a halogen atom, and a part of the carbon atoms of these groups may be substituted with a group containing a heteroatom such as an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, and a nitrogen atom. As a result, these groups may contain a hydroxy group, a cyano group, a carbonyl group, an ether bond, an ester bond, a sulfonic acid ester bond, a carbonate bond, a lactone ring, a sultone ring, a carboxylic anhydride, a haloalkyl group, etc. Examples of the hydrocarbyl group containing a heteroatom include alkoxyphenyl groups such as a 4-hydroxyphenyl group, a 4-methoxyphenyl group, a 3-methoxyphenyl group, a 2-methoxyphenyl group, a 4-ethoxyphenyl group, a 4-tert-butoxyphenyl group, and a 3-tert-butoxyphenyl group; alkoxynaphthyl groups such as a methoxynaphthyl group, an ethoxynaphthyl group, an n-propoxynaphthyl group, and an n-butoxynaphthyl group; dialkoxynaphthyl groups such as a dimethoxynaphthyl group, and a diethoxynaphthyl group; and aryloxoalkyl groups such as 2-aryl-2-oxoethyl groups, for example, a 2-phenyl-2-oxoethyl group, a 2-(1-naphthyl)-2-oxoethyl group, and a 2-(2-naphthyl)-2-oxoethyl group.

R¹⁰² represents a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 40 carbon atoms optionally containing a heteroatom. Examples of the hydrocarbyl group represented by R¹⁰²² include those exemplified as the hydrocarbyl group represented by R¹⁰¹. In addition, other specific examples include fluorine-containing alkyl groups such as a trifluoromethyl group, a trifluoroethyl group, a 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-methyl-1-hydroxyethyl group, and a 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)-1-hydroxyethyl group; and fluorine-containing aryl groups such as a pentafluorophenyl group and a 4-trifluoromethylphenyl group.

Examples of the sulfonic acid salt represented by the formula (Z1) include those shown below, but are not limited thereto.

Examples of the carboxylic acid salt shown by the formula (Z2) include those shown below, but are not limited thereto.

When the inventive resist composition contains the quencher, the content amount thereof is preferably 0.001 to 12 parts by mass, more preferably 0.01 to 8 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the base resin of the component (A). By blending the quencher, not only resist sensitivity can be readily adjusted, but also diffusion rate of acids in the resist film is suppressed to improve resolution and suppress change in sensitivity after exposure, or reducing dependence on a substrate or an environment enables to improve exposure margin and a pattern profile, etc. . . . In addition, by adding these quenchers, substrate adhesiveness can also be improved. The quenchers may be used alone or as a combination of two or more kinds.

[Surfactant]

The inventive resist composition may contain a component of a surfactant insoluble or hardly soluble in water and soluble in alkaline developer, and/or a surfactant insoluble or hardly soluble in water and alkaline developer. As such a surfactant, the component defined in (S) disclosed in JP 2010-215608 A and JP 2011-16746 A may be referred to.

As the surfactant insoluble or hardly soluble in water and alkaline developer, among the surfactants disclosed in the above patent documents, FC-4430 (manufactured by 3M), Surflon (Registered Trademark) S-381 (manufactured by AGC SEIMI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.), Surfynol (Registered Trademark) E1004 (manufactured by Air Products Limited), KH-20, KH-30 (manufactured by ASAHI GLASS CO., LTD.), and oxetane ring-opened polymers represented by the following structural formula (surf-1) are preferable. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Here, Rf, R, M, A, B, C, and N in the above formula are applied only to this formula.

In the formula (surf-1), R represents a 2- to 4-valent aliphatic group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, and specific examples of the divalent group include an ethylene group, a tetramethylene group, a propylene group, a 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediyl group, and a pentamethylene group, and examples of the trivalent or tetravalent group include those shown below.

(In the formula, the dotted line represents an attachment point, and these are partial structures derived from glycerol, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, and pentaerythritol, respectively.)

Among these, a tetramethylene group or a 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediyl group is preferably used. Rf represents a trifluoromethyl group or a pentafluoroethyl group, preferably a trifluoromethyl group. M represents an integer of 0 to 3, N represents an integer of 1 to 4, and the sum of M and N represents a number of valence of R, and is an integer of 2 to 4. A represents 1, B represents an integer of 2 to 25, and C represents an integer of 0 to 10. B preferably represents an integer of 4 to 20, and C preferably represents 0 or 1. In addition, the above structure does not specify the arrangement of the respective constitutional units, and the units may be bonded as a block or randomly. The production of the surfactant with the type of a partially fluorinated oxetane ring-opened polymer is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,650,483, etc.

[Patterning Process]

The present invention further provides a patterning process using the above-described resist composition. To form a pattern using the inventive resist composition, a known lithography technique may be adopted. Specifically, for example, a substrate for manufacturing an integrated circuit (Si, SiO₂, SiN, SiON, TiN, WSi, BPSG, SOG, an organic antireflection film, etc.), or a substrate for manufacturing a mask circuit (Cr, CrO, CrON, MoSi₂, SiO₂, etc.) is coated with the inventive resist composition by a procedure such as spin coating so as to give a film thickness of 0.05 to 2 μm, and then prebaked on a hot plate preferably at 60 to 150° C., for 1 to 10 minutes, more preferably at 80 to 140° C. for 1 to 5 minutes to form a resist film.

Next, a mask for forming a desired pattern is then placed over the resist film, and the resist film is irradiated with a high-energy beam such as a KrF excimer laser, an ArF excimer laser, EUV having a wavelength of 3 to 15 nm and EB (electron beam) with the exposure dose preferably 1 to 200 mJ/cm², more preferably 10 to 100 mJ/cm², or preferably 0.1 to 100 μC/cm², more preferably 0.5 to 50 μC/cm². In the exposure, the general exposure method can be used, and besides this, the immersion method conducted by placing a liquid having a refractive index of 1.0 or more between a resist film and a projection lens can be used. In this case, a protective film insoluble in water may be used. Subsequently, post-exposure bake (PEB) may be carried out on a hot plate preferably at 60 to 150° C. for 1 to 5 minutes, more preferably at 80 to 140° C. for 1 to 3 minutes. Thereafter, development is carried out by using a developer composed of an aqueous alkali solution such as a tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution with a concentration of preferably 0.1 to 5 mass %, more preferably 2 to 3 mass %, or an organic solvent developer such as a butyl acetate, in a conventional manner such as dip, puddle, or spray method preferably for 0.1 to 3 minutes, more preferably 0.5 to 2 minutes to form the desired pattern on the substrate.

The protective film insoluble in water serves to prevent a substance eluted from the resist film and increase water-sliding property of the film surface. The protective film is largely classified into two kinds. One is an organic solvent-removing protective film, which needs to be removed before alkaline development by an organic solvent that does not dissolve the resist film. The other is an alkali-soluble protective film, which is soluble in an alkaline developer and is removed together with the soluble part of the resist film. The latter protective film is preferably obtained from a material which contains a base polymer compound having a 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol residue in which the polymer is insoluble in water and soluble in an alkaline developer, and dissolved in an alcohol solvent having 4 or more carbon atoms, an ether solvent having 8 to 12 carbon atoms, or a mixed solvent thereof. The above-described surfactant insoluble in water and soluble in an alkaline developer may be dissolved in an alcohol solvent having 4 or more carbon atoms, an ether solvent having 8 to 12 carbon atoms, or a mixed solvent thereof to prepare a material for the alkali-soluble protective film.

In addition, as a means of the patterning process, after a photoresist film is formed, acid generators, etc. may be extracted from the surface of the film, or particles may be washed off, by rinsing with pure water (post-soak). Alternatively, after exposure, remaining water on the film may be removed by rinsing (post-soak).

Note that, although an aqueous alkaline solution such as TMAH with a concentration of preferably 0.1 to 5 mass %, more preferably 2 to 3 mass % can be used as the developer for the inventive patterning process as described above, an organic solvent can also be used. In this case, a negative tone development, which develops/dissolves the unexposed part may be performed.

For the organic solvent development, one or more developer selected from 2-octanone, 2-nonanone, 2-heptanone, 3-heptanone, 4-heptanone, 2-hexanone, 3-hexanone, diisobutyl ketone, methylcyclohexanone, acetophenone, methylacetophenone, propyl acetate, butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, pentyl acetate, butenyl acetate, isopentyl acetate, phenyl acetate, propyl formate, butyl formate, isobutyl formate, pentyl formate, isopentyl formate, methyl valerate, methyl pentenoate, methyl crotonate, ethyl crotonate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, propyl lactate, butyl lactate, isobutyl lactate, pentyl lactate, isopentyl lactate, methyl 2-hydroxyisobutyrate, ethyl 2-hydroxyisobutyrate, methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, benzyl acetate, methyl phenylacetate, benzyl formate, phenylethyl formate, methyl 3-phenylpropionate, benzyl propionate, ethyl phenylacetate, and 2-phenylethyl acetate may be used.

EXAMPLE

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described specifically with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following Examples.

[1] Synthesis of Photo-Acid Generator (PAG) Example 1-1

After mixing 100 g of an ammonium salt 1, 68.7 g of a cation intermediate 1, 100 g of pure water, and 400 g of methylene chloride, the resultant was stirred and aged for 1 hour. After isolating the organic layer, the resultant was washed twice with a mixed solution of 5.7 g of the cation intermediate 1 and 100 g of pure water, five times with 100 g of pure water, and twice with 100 g of a 20 wt % aqueous methanol solution. The obtained organic layer was concentrated, PGMEA was added thereto and concentration was performed again to obtain a 20 wt % PGMEA solution. The obtained PGMEA solution was stirred all night at room temperature to deposit a solid, then 500 g of hexane was further added thereto and stirred for 2 hours. The obtained solid was collected by filtration, rinsed with 200 g of hexane, and finally dried by heating under reduced pressure at 50° C. to obtain 104.8 g (yield: 88%) of the desired PAG 1. ¹HNMR of the obtained PAG 1 is shown in FIG. 1, and ¹⁹FNMR of the obtained PAG 1 is shown in FIG. 2. IR (D-ATR): v=3087, 3002, 2906, 2852, 1785, 1727, 1477, 1448, 1344, 1240, 1180, 1103, 1076, 1035, 1010, 997, 943, 750, 684, 642, 551, 522, 501 cm⁻¹

Example 1-2

After mixing 417 g of an ammonium salt 2, 268 g of a cation intermediate 2, 1400 g of pure water, and 2000 g of methylene chloride, the resultant was stirred and aged for 1 hour. After isolating the organic layer, the organic layer was washed six times with 600 g of pure water, and six times with 600 g of a 20 wt % aqueous methanol solution. 25 g of activated carbon was added to the obtained organic layer and the resultant was stirred all night at room temperature. After removing the activated carbon by filtration, the organic layer was washed once with 600 g of a 1% hydrochloric acid, twice with 600 g of pure water, once with 600 g of a 1% hydrochloric acid, and three times with 600 g of pure water. The resultant was further washed once with 600 g of a 0.04 eq. ammonia water, three times with 600 g of pure water, once with 600 g of a 0.5% hydrochloric acid, and three times with 600 g of pure water. The organic layer was concentrated, PGMEA was added thereto and concentration was performed again to obtain a 50 wt % PGMEA solution. The concentrated solution was dropped into 3.5 L of diisopropyl ether to deposit crystals. After stirring for 1 hour, the crystals were collected by filtration, rinsed with diisopropyl ether, and finally dried by heating under reduced pressure at 50° C. to obtain 535 g (yield: 86%) of the desired PAG 2. ¹HNMR of the obtained PAG 2 is shown in FIG. 3, and ¹⁹FNMR of the obtained PAG 2 is shown in FIG. 4. IR (D-ATR): v=3089, 2907, 2853, 1785, 1729, 1476, 1449, 1344, 1237, 1180, 1104, 1076, 1035, 1010, 947, 761, 707, 681, 642, 585, 551, 525 cm⁻¹

Examples 1-3 to 1-9 Synthesis of Other PAGs (PAG-3 to PAG-9)

Using corresponding ingredients, PAG-3 to PAG-9 were synthesized by a known organic synthesis method.

[2] Synthesis of Polymer

The polymer used in the inventive resist composition was synthesized by the method described below. Note that the Mw of the obtained polymer was measured by GPC in terms of polystyrene using THF or DMF as an eluent.

Synthesis Example 1 Synthesis of Resist Polymer 1

(Resist polymer 1) a = 0.35, b = 0.65 Mw = 8,000

Under a nitrogen atmosphere, p-hydroxystyrene (27.8 g), 1-methylcyclopentyl methacrylate (72.2 g), and dimethyl 2,2′-azobisisobutyrate (6.08 g) were dissolved in PGMEA (155 g) to prepare a solution. Under a nitrogen atmosphere, the solution was dropped in over 6 hours to PGMEA (78 g) with stirring at 80° C. After the dropping was completed, the resultant was stirred for 2 hours while maintaining at 80° C., was cooled to room temperature, and then the reaction solution was dropped into n-hexane (3000 g). The deposited solid was collected by filtration, dried under vacuum at 50° C. for 20 hours, and a resist polymer 1 was obtained as a white powder solid. The yield was 85 g and 85%.

Synthesis Examples 2 to 7 Synthesis of Resist Polymers 2 to 7

The following resist polymers 2 to 7 were manufactured by the same method as in Synthesis Example 1 except that the kind of monomer and blending ratio were changed.

Resist polymer 2) a = 0.45, b = 0.55 Mw = 7,500

(Resist polymer 3) a = 0.40, b = 0.60 Mw = 8,600

(Resist polymer 4) a = 0.30, b = 0.20, c = 0.50 Mw = 7,200

(Resist polymer 5) a = 0.15, b = 0.10, c = 0.30 d = 0.45 Mw = 9,000

(Resist polymer 6) a = 0.15, b = 0.30, c = 0.55 Mw = 10,000

(Resist polymer 7) a = 0.05, b = 0.35, c = 0.60 Mw = 8,000

[3] Preparation of Resist Composition Examples 2-1 to 2-40 and Comparative Examples 1-1 to 1-38

The onium salts of the present invention (PAG-1 to PAG-9), comparative photo-acid generators PAG-A to PAG-H, resist polymers 1 to 7, other photo-acid generators PAG-X to PAG-Z, quenchers Q-1 to Q-4, and an alkali-soluble surfactant SF-1 were dissolved in a solvent containing 0.01 mass % of a surfactant A (available from Omnova Solutions, Inc.) by the composition shown in the following Tables 1 and 2 to prepare a solution. The solution was filtered through a 0.2 μm filter made of Teflon (Registered Trademark) to prepare resist compositions.

TABLE 1 Other Other Fluorine- Acid Acid acid acid containing Solvent Solvent Base resin generator 1 generator generator generator Quencher polymer 1 2 (parts (parts by 2 (parts 1 (parts 2 (parts (parts by (parts by (parts (parts Composition by mass) mass) by mass) by mass) by mass) mass) mass) by mass) by mass) Example 2-1 R-1 Resist polymer PAG-1 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) — S-1 S-2 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2-2 R-2 Resist polymer PAG-2 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) — S-1 S-2 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2-3 R-3 Resist polymer PAG-3 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) — S-1 S-2 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2-4 R-4 Resist polymer PAG-4 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) — S-1 S-2 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2-5 R-5 Resist polymer PAG-5 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) — S-1 S-2 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2-6 R-6 Resist polymer PAG-6 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) — S-1 S-2 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2-7 R-7 Resist polymer PAG-7 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) — S-1 S-2 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2-8 R-8 Resist polymer PAG-8 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) — S-1 S-2 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2-9 R-9 Resist polymer PAG-9 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) — S-1 S-2 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-10 Resist polymer PAG-1 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 10 2 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-11 Resist polymer PAG-1 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 11 3 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-12 Resist polymer PAG-1 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 12 4 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-13 Resist polymer PAG-1 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 13 5 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-14 Resist polymer PAG-1 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 14 6 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-15 Resist polymer PAG-1 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 15 7 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-16 Resist polymer PAG-2 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 16 2 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-17 Resist polymer PAG-2 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 17 3 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-18 Resist polymer PAG-2 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 18 4 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-19 Resist polymer PAG-2 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 19 5 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-20 Resist polymer PAG-2 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 20 6 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-21 Resist polymer PAG-2 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 21 7 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-22 Resist polymer PAG-1 (4) PAG-2 (2) — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 22 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-23 Resist polymer PAG-1 (4) PAG-3 (2) — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 23 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-24 Resist polymer PAG-1 (4) PAG-4 (2) — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 24 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-25 Resist polymer PAG-1 (3) — PAG-X (3) — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 25 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-26 Resist polymer PAG-1 (3) — PAG-Y (3) — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 26 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-27 Resist polymer PAG-1 (3) — PAG-Z (3) — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 27 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-28 Resist polymer PAG-1 (3) — PAG-X (2) PAG-Y (2) Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 28 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-29 Resist polymer PAG-1 (3) — PAG-Y (2) PAG-Z (2) Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 29 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-30 Resist polymer PAG-1 (5) — — — Q-2 (2) — S-1 S-2 30 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-31 Resist polymer PAG-1 (5) — — — Q-3 (2) — S-1 S-2 31 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-32 Resist polymer PAG-1 (5) — — — Q-4 (2) — S-1 S-2 32 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-33 Resist polymer PAG-1 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 33 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-34 Resist polymer PAG-1 (10) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 34 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-35 Resist polymer PAG-1 (20) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 35 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-36 Resist polymer PAG-1 (30) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 36 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-37 Resist polymer PAG-2 (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 37 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-38 Resist polymer PAG-2 (10) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 38 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-39 Resist polymer PAG-2 (20) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 39 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Example 2- R-40 Resist polymer PAG-2 (30) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 40 1 (80) (1,380) (220)

TABLE 2 Other Other Acid acid acid Fluorine- Solvent Acid generator generator generator containing Solvent 2 generator 2 (parts 1 (parts 2 (parts Quencher polymer 1 (parts Base resin 1 (parts by by by by (parts (parts by (parts by Composition (parts by mass) mass) mass) mass) mass) by mass) mass) by mass) mass) Comparative R-41 Resist polymer PAG-A (5) — — — Q-1 (2) — S-1 S-2 Example 1-1 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-42 Resist polymer PAG-B (5) — — — Q-1 (2) — S-1 S-2 Example 1-2 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-43 Resist polymer PAG-C (5) — — — Q-1 (2) — S-1 S-2 Example 1-3 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-44 Resist polymer PAG-D (5) — — — Q-1 (2) — S-1 S-2 Example 1-4 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-45 Resist polymer PAG-E (5) — — — Q-1 (2) — S-1 S-2 Example 1-5 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-46 Resist polymer PAG-F (5) — — — Q-1 (2) — S-1 S-2 Example 1-6 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-47 Resist polymer PAG-G (5) — — — Q-1 (2) — S-1 S-2 Example 1-7 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-48 Resist polymer PAG-H (5) — — — Q-1 (2) — S-1 S-2 Example 1-8 1 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-49 Resist polymer PAG-A (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-9 2 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-50 Resist polymer PAG-B (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-10 2 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-51 Resist polymer PAG-C (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-11 2 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-52 Resist polymer PAG-D (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-12 2 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-53 Resist polymer PAG-E (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-13 2 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-54 Resist polymer PAG-A (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-14 3 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-55 Resist polymer PAG-B (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-15 3 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-56 Resist polymer PAG-C (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-16 3 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-57 Resist polymer PAG-D (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-17 3 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-58 Resist polymer PAG-E (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-18 3 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-59 Resist polymer PAG-A (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-19 4 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-60 Resist polymer PAG-B (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-20 4 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-61 Resist polymer PAG-C (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-21 4 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-62 Resist polymer PAG-D (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-22 4 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-63 Resist polymer PAG-E (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-23 4 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-64 Resist polymer PAG-A (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-24 5 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-65 Resist polymer PAG-B (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-25 5 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-66 Resist polymer PAG-C (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-26 5 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-67 Resist polymer PAG-D (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-27 5 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-68 Resist polymer PAG-E (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-28 5 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-69 Resist polymer PAG-A (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-29 6 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-70 Resist polymer PAG-B (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-30 6(80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-71 Resist polymer PAG-C (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-31 6 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-72 Resist polymer PAG-D (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-32 6 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-73 Resist polymer PAG-E (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-33 6 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-74 Resist polymer PAG-A (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-34 7 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-75 Resist polymer PAG-B (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-35 7 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-76 Resist polymer PAG-C (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-36 7 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-77 Resist polymer PAG-D (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-37 7 (80) (1,380) (220) Comparative R-78 Resist polymer PAG-E (5) — — — Q-1 (2) SF-1 (5) S-1 S-2 Example 1-38 7 (80) (1,380) (220)

Note that in Tables 1 and 2, the solvents, comparative photo-acid generators PAG-A to PAG-H, other photo-acid generators PAG-X to PAG-Z, quenchers Q-1 to Q-4, and alkali-soluble surfactant (fluorine-containing polymer) SF-1 are as follows.

-   Solvents: -   S-1: PGMEA (propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate) -   S-2: GBL (γ-butyrolactone) -   Surfactant A: -   3-methyl-3-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxymethyl)oxetane.     tetrahydrofuran.2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol copolymer (available     from Omnova Solutions, Inc.)

[4] Evaluation of Resist Composition: EUV Exposure Patterning Evaluation (Hole Pattern Evaluation) Examples 3-1 to 3-40 and Comparative Examples 2-1 to 2-38

A substrate with an organic antireflection film AL-412 manufactured by BRUWER SCIENCE having a film thickness of 20 nm formed was coated with the inventive resist compositions (R-1 to R-40) and comparative resist compositions (R-41 to R-78) using a Clean Track Lithius ProZ manufactured by Tokyo Electron Limited. This was baked on a hot plate at 105° C. for 60 seconds to form a resist film of 50 nm. Using an EUV exposure apparatus NXE3300 manufactured by ASML, a lattice pattern having dimensions of 27.5 nm with a pitch of 46 nm on a mask was exposed, and after the exposure, an appropriate PEB temperature was given to each resist composition. Subsequently, a 2.38% aqueous tetramethylammonium solution was discharged to the wafer while rotating it, development was performed for a total of 30 seconds, the alkali solution was washed off with water, and the water was removed by rotating the wafer at high speed.

[Sensitivity Evaluation]

The fabricated resist pattern was observed using CD-SEM CG-5000 manufactured by Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation, and the exposure dose at which the hole diameter becomes 23 nm at a pitch of 46 nm was determined as the optimum exposure dose Eop (mJ/cm²).

[MEF Evaluation]

When a hole diameter of around 23 nm can be observed with CD-SEM on condition that the dimensions on the mask have a pitch of 46 nm and the lattice pattern is 27.5 nm, critical dimension (CD) of the hole pattern was measured with regard to each dimension on the mask having a pitch of 46 nm and the lattice pattern is 26.0 nm, 26.5 nm, 27.0 nm, 27.5 nm, 28.0 nm, 28.5 nm, and 29.0 nm. The slope between the dimension on the mask and the observed CD thereof was determined as an MEF (Mask Error Enhancement Factor). The MEF of approximately 3.0 or less is taken to be favorable.

[Critical Dimension Uniformity (CDU) Evaluation]

The obtained hole pattern was observed with CD-SEM CG-5000 manufactured by Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation, The hole diameter was measured at 32 points of one hole per sample, and 49 holes were measured from one SEM image. The triple value (3σ) of the standard deviation (σ) calculated from this result was determined, thirty SEM images were obtained, and the average value of the standard deviation was determined as CDU. It means that the smaller the value of CDU, the more excellent the critical dimension uniformity. CDU of approximately 3.2 or less is taken as favorable.

TABLE 3 Resist PEB (° C.) Eop (mJ/cm²) MEF CDU (nm) Example 3-1 R-1 90 30 2.9 2.8 Example 3-2 R-2 90 33 2.7 2.8 Example 3-3 R-3 95 28 2.9 2.9 Example 3-4 R-4 90 31 2.5 2.6 Example 3-5 R-5 85 35 2.8 2.4 Example 3-6 R-6 90 32 2.5 2.8 Example 3-7 R-7 90 31 2.6 2.6 Example 3-8 R-8 100 28 2.9 2.8 Example 3-9 R-9 90 31 3.0 2.6 Example 3-10 R-10 90 31 2.7 2.7 Example 3-11 R-11 80 34 2.6 2.8 Example 3-12 R-12 90 32 2.9 3.1 Example 3-13 R-13 95 33 2.7 3.0 Example 3-14 R-14 90 31 2.6 2.8 Example 3-15 R-15 100 30 2.7 2.9 Example 3-16 R-16 90 29 2.6 3.1 Example 3-17 R-17 90 33 2.8 3.2 Example 3-18 R-18 85 34 2.9 3.2 Example 3-19 R-19 90 31 3.0 2.7 Example 3-20 R-20 90 30 2.7 2.9 Example 3-21 R-21 85 33 2.6 3.1 Example 3-22 R-22 90 36 2.5 2.9 Example 3-23 R-23 100 30 2.6 2.5 Example 3-24 R-24 90 30 3.0 2.6 Example 3-25 R-25 90 31 2.9 2.7 Example 3-26 R-26 95 34 2.8 2.9 Example 3-27 R-27 90 33 2.7 3.0 Example 3-28 R-28 85 32 3.0 2.7 Example 3-29 R-29 90 31 2.7 2.8 Example 3-30 R-30 90 28 2.6 2.9 Example 3-31 R-31 95 29 2.5 3.0 Example 3-32 R-32 90 35 2.8 2.9 Example 3-33 R-33 105 27 2.9 2.6 Example 3-34 R-34 90 30 2.7 2.6 Example 3-35 R-35 90 31 3.0 2.3 Example 3-36 R-36 80 33 2.8 2.4 Example 3-37 R-37 90 32 2.8 2.7 Example 3-38 R-38 85 36 2.7 2.3 Example 3-39 R-39 90 31 2.9 2.3 Example 3-40 R-40 90 29 2.8 2.4

TABLE 4 PEB Eop CDU Resist (° C.) (mJ/cm²) MEF (nm) Comparative Example 2-1 R-41 90 30 3.5 3.5 Comparative Example 2-2 R-42 90 31 3.6 3.6 Comparative Example 2-3 R-43 95 33 3.8 3.7 Comparative Example 2-4 R-44 90 33 3.9 3.8 Comparative Example 2-5 R-45 85 32 4.0 4.0 Comparative Example 2-6 R-46 90 29 3.5 3.8 Comparative Example 2-7 R-47 90 31 3.6 3.6 Comparative Example 2-8 R-48 100 27 3.7 3.6 Comparative Example 2-9 R-49 90 30 3.8 3.7 Comparative Example 2-10 R-50 90 31 3.6 3.8 Comparative Example 2-11 R-51 95 30 3.7 4.0 Comparative Example 2-12 R-52 90 33 3.5 4.2 Comparative Example 2-13 R-53 85 36 3.6 3.9 Comparative Example 2-14 R-54 90 30 4.1 3.7 Comparative Example 2-15 R-55 90 31 3.5 3.8 Comparative Example 2-16 R-56 80 35 3.6 3.6 Comparative Example 2-17 R-57 100 28 3.7 3.8 Comparative Example 2-18 R-58 95 27 3.9 3.9 Comparative Example 2-19 R-59 90 30 3.8 4.1 Comparative Example 2-20 R-60 90 31 3.8 4.0 Comparative Example 2-21 R-61 80 33 3.9 3.7 Comparative Example 2-22 R-62 85 32 3.6 3.8 Comparative Example 2-23 R-63 90 31 3.7 3.7 Comparative Example 2-24 R-64 90 30 3.8 3.9 Comparative Example 2-25 R-65 90 31 3.9 3.9 Comparative Example 2-26 R-66 95 28 3.8 4.0 Comparative Example 2-27 R-67 90 29 3.8 3.8 Comparative Example 2-28 R-68 95 30 3.7 3.7 Comparative Example 2-29 R-69 90 33 3.9 3.6 Comparative Example 2-30 R-70 90 33 4.1 3.6 Comparative Example 2-31 R-71 90 32 3.5 3.8 Comparative Example 2-32 R-72 85 35 3.6 3.8 Comparative Example 2-33 R-73 90 30 3.9 3.9 Comparative Example 2-34 R-74 100 29 4.0 4.1 Comparative Example 2-35 R-75 90 30 3.7 3.8 Comparative Example 2-36 R-76 90 31 3.8 3.7 Comparative Example 2-37 R-77 105 33 4.0 3.7 Comparative Example 2-38 R-78 90 31 3.8 3.9

The results shown in Table 3 revealed that the inventive resist compositions (Examples) had a favorable sensitivity and were excellent in MEF and CDU. On the other hand, as shown in Table 4, the resist compositions (Comparative Examples) that contained the conventional photo-acid generators PAG-A to PAG-E (see Patent Documents 1 to 4), PAG-F and PAG-H, whose W₁ does not have a heteroatom, and PAG-G and PAG-H, whose W₂ has a heteroatom had insufficient MEF and CDU. As explained above, it has been shown that the inventive resist composition is particularly suitable as material for EUV lithography.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The embodiments are just examples, and any examples that have substantially the same feature and demonstrate the same functions and effects as those in the technical concept disclosed in claims of the present invention are included in the technical scope of the present invention. 

1. A resist composition comprising: (A) a resin containing a repeating unit having an acid-labile group and further containing at least one repeating unit having an aromatic substituent; (B) a photo-acid generator shown by a general formula (B-1); and (C) a solvent,

wherein W₁ represents a cyclic divalent hydrocarbon group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms and containing a heteroatom; W₂ represents a cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 4 to 14 carbon atoms and not containing a heteroatom; Rf represents a divalent organic group shown by the above general formula; A₁ and A₂ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a trifluoromethyl group; B₁ and B₂ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, or a trifluoromethyl group; * represents an attachment point for a carbonyloxy group; “m” represents an integer of 0 to 4; “n” represents an integer of 0 or 1; and M⁺ represents an onium cation.
 2. The resist composition according to claim 1, wherein W₁ in the general formula (B-1) represents a cyclic divalent hydrocarbon group containing a lactone ring structure having 6 to 12 carbon atoms.
 3. The resist composition according to claim 1, wherein W₂ in the general formula (B-1) represents a polycyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 7 to 14 carbon atoms and not containing a heteroatom.
 4. The resist composition according to claim 2, wherein W₂ in the general formula (B-1) represents a polycyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 7 to 14 carbon atoms and not containing a heteroatom.
 5. The resist composition according to claim 1, wherein the group Rf in the general formula (B-1) is selected from groups shown by the following formulae (Rf-1) to (Rf-6),

wherein * represents an attachment point for a carbonyloxy group.
 6. The resist composition according to claim 2, wherein the group Rf in the general formula (B-1) is selected from groups shown by the following formulae (Rf-1) to (Rf-6),

wherein * represents an attachment point for a carbonyloxy group.
 7. The resist composition according to claim 3, wherein the group Rf in the general formula (B-1) is selected from groups shown by the following formulae (Rf-1) to (Rf-6),

wherein * represents an attachment point for a carbonyloxy group.
 8. The resist composition according to claim 4, wherein the group Rf in the general formula (B-1) is selected from groups shown by the following formulae (Rf-1) to (Rf-6),

wherein * represents an attachment point for a carbonyloxy group.
 9. The resist composition according to claim 1, wherein one of the repeating unit having the aromatic substituent in the resin of the component (A) is a repeating unit shown by the following formula (A-1),

wherein R^(A) represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R₆₁ represents a hydrogen atom or a linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms optionally interposed by a heteroatom; R₆₂ represents a linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms optionally interposed by a heteroatom; “t” represents an integer of 1 to 3; “u” represents an integer that satisfies u≤5+2s−t; “s” represents 0 or 1; and L₁ represents a single bond, —C(═O)O—, or —C(═O)NH—.
 10. The resist composition according to claim 1, wherein one of the repeating unit having the aromatic substituent in the resin of the component (A) is a repeating unit shown by the following general formulae (A-2) to (A-4),

wherein R^(A) each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R²⁰¹ represents a single bond, a phenylene group, —O—R²¹⁰—, or —C(═O)—Z²—R²¹⁰—; Z² represents an oxygen atom or NH; R²¹⁰ represents a linear, branched, or cyclic alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a linear, branched, or cyclic alkenylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a phenylene group, optionally containing a carbonyl group (—CO—), an ester group (—COO—), an ether group (—O—), or a hydroxy group; L₂ represents a single bond or —Z³—C(═O)—O—; Z³ represents a linear, branched, or cyclic divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms optionally substituted with a heteroatom; Z¹ represents a single bond, a methylene group, an ethylene group, a phenylene group, a fluorinated phenylene group, —O—R²¹¹—, or —C(═O)—Z⁴—R²¹¹—; Z⁴ represents an oxygen atom or NH; R²¹¹ represents a linear, branched, or cyclic alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a linear, branched, or cyclic alkenylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a phenylene group, optionally containing a carbonyl group, ester group, ether group, or hydroxy group; M⁻ represents a non-nucleophilic counter ion; R²⁰², R²⁰³, R²⁰⁴, R²⁰⁵, R²⁰⁶, R²⁰⁷, R²⁰⁸, and R²⁰⁹ each independently represent a linear monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or a branched or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms optionally substituted with a heteroatom and optionally interposed by a heteroatom; R²⁰² and R²⁰³ are optionally bonded with each other to form a ring with the sulfur atom in the formula, or any two or more of R²⁰⁴, R²⁰⁵,and R²⁰⁶, or any two or more of R²⁰⁷, R²⁰⁸ and R²⁰⁹ are optionally bonded with each other to form a ring with the sulfur atom in the formula; and the repeating unit shown by the general formulae (A-2) to (A-4) has one or more aromatic substituents.
 11. The resist composition according to claim 1, further comprising as a component (D), a resin being a fluorine-containing resin having at least one repeating unit selected from repeating units shown by the following formulae (D-1), (D-2), and (D-3), wherein the resin is different from the resin of the component (A),

wherein R^(A) each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R⁵¹ and R⁵² each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R⁵³ represents a single bond or a linear or branched divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; R⁵⁴, R⁵⁵, and R⁵⁶ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group, fluorinated monovalent hydrocarbon group, or acyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, or an acid-labile group; when R⁵⁴, R⁵⁵, and R⁵⁶ represent the monovalent hydrocarbon group or the fluorinated monovalent hydrocarbon group, some carbon atoms thereof are optionally substituted with an ether group or a carbonyl group; R⁵⁷ represents a linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon group or fluorinated hydrocarbon group with a valency of (v+1) having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; and “v” represents an integer of 1 to
 3. 12. A patterning process comprising the steps of: forming a resist film by coating a substrate with the resist composition according to claim 1 and heat-treating; exposing the resist film with a high-energy beam; and developing the exposed resist film using a developer.
 13. The patterning process according to claim 12, wherein the high-energy beam is an ArF excimer laser with a wavelength of 193 nm or a KrF excimer laser with a wavelength of 248 nm.
 14. The patterning process according to claim 12, wherein the exposure is immersion exposure performed with a liquid having a refractive index of 1.0 or more placed between the resist film and a projection lens.
 15. The patterning process according to claim 13, wherein the exposure is immersion exposure performed with a liquid having a refractive index of 1.0 or more placed between the resist film and a projection lens.
 16. The patterning process according to claim 14, wherein a protective film is further formed on the resist film, and immersion exposure is performed with the liquid placed between the protective film and the projection lens.
 17. The patterning process according to claim 15, wherein a protective film is further formed on the resist film, and immersion exposure is performed with the liquid placed between the protective film and the projection lens.
 18. The patterning process according to claim 12, wherein the high-energy beam is an electron beam or an extreme ultraviolet ray with a wavelength of 3 to 15 nm. 